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PROCESS
FIRST MEETING
Between clients and architect, usually at the site of the future project: The clients describe what they want to do as they interview the architect, who answers questions and walks the site.
PROPOSAL
Written by the architect includes what steps will be taken and an estimate for architect's services. When the clients are ready to get started, they pay a retainer.
PROJECT UNDERWAY
(What steps will be involved can vary widely. Please see the services page for general descriptions of various possibilities.) Here are steps for a standard process:
-Research zoning and related issues
-Get a site plan
-"Measure-up" existing building
-Architect and clients meet to review issues and a finalized, prioritized list of what project will include (this is the "program")
-Design phase begins with the Architect creating designs, then meeting with clients for review
-Architect revises designs per client input and they meet again
(This "revise & meet" usually happens at least 2 to 5 times)
-Clients sign off on approved designs
-Now is a good time to seek preliminary bids & input from interested contractors
-Architect begins construction set,
-All material/product/detailing decisions being made are approved by client.
PERMIT SET
-When drawings are completed to a certain level, they are submitted as a "Permit Set" to the city as part of the application for building permit. Permitting can take from a few weeks to several months, so this application is usually submitted as soon as possible.
Contractors now can get a full set of plans for their construction cost estimates.
[Sometimes the architect's role stops here]
BID EVALUATION
-Architect and Client evaluate bids received from Contractors, Client selects contractor and signs a contract with a builder.
CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
-Throughout construction the architect visits the site as the eyes of the client, evaluating progress, quality, etc. Sometimes regular meetings are scheduled to coordinate various aspects of the construction project. Near the end of construction, the architect views and documents the project progress (called a "punch list"); this provides the client and contractor a list of things unfinished or that need attention.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
-When construction is complete, the city or town building inspector does a final inspection and authorizes the project as being ready for occupancy.
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